Even before Orbán and Rubio's press conference, the US Secretary of State signed an agreement on civil nuclear energy with his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó.
"This week has started well. It's only Monday, and we've already had a cordial, serious, and friendly conversation with the US Secretary of State," said the Hungarian Prime Minister, according to the 24.hu portal. He emphasized that the visit had been agreed upon during the Hungarian delegation's trip to Washington in November.
According to Orbán, 17 agreements have been concluded between the two countries since last year. He also mentioned the restoration of visa-free travel for Hungarians to the United States and Hungary's invitation to join the Peace Council. According to him, these steps signal a "new golden age" in relations between Budapest and Washington.
The prime minister emphasized cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy, oil, and gas. According to him, these agreements will enable the government to provide cheap energy to the population.
He also confirmed discussions on the conditions under which the Hungarian company MOL could buy the Serbian oil refinery NIS. Orbán also confirmed that US President Donald Trump has a standing invitation to visit Hungary.
Hungarian success = American success
Rubio, who was visiting Budapest for the first time, praised the city and the venue for the talks. He said that he did not consider it an exaggeration to speak of a "golden age" in relations between the two countries. According to him, it is not just a matter of understanding between nations, but also of the personal relationship between Prime Minister Orbán and President Trump.
The US Secretary of State also stated that if Hungary faced problems, the United States would be prepared to help, including in the area of finance. He emphasized that the US wants to continue to cultivate and develop this relationship, especially while Orbán is prime minister.
"President Trump is deeply committed to your success because your success is our success," he said, standing next to Orbán. "We want this country to prosper. It is in our national interest, especially while you are prime minister and leader of this country," he added, noting that voters will decide what happens in Hungary after the April parliamentary elections.
Hungary is facing parliamentary elections on April 12, and according to polls, Orbán is facing his biggest challenge since his Fidesz party came to power in 2010 after a landslide victory.
Relations with Ukraine and China
During the press conference, questions about Ukraine were also raised. The Hungarian prime minister emphasized that he did not want to involve Rubio in Hungarian domestic politics, but according to him, Ukraine is watching to see what kind of government Hungary will have after the elections.
According to the prime minister, there are two possibilities—a pro-Hungarian government or a government friendly to Ukraine. He also claimed that Ukrainians are financing his opponents. Rubio responded that the United States' goal is to end the war and bring both sides to the negotiating table.
Questions were also directed at Hungary's relations with China. The head of the US delegation noted that there are areas where the countries' interests coincide, but also areas where they do not, and that good relations are important.
He emphasized that the United States also maintains relations with China and does not ask its partners to isolate themselves.
Orbán said that the basis of Hungarian foreign policy is NATO membership, which determines the limits of cooperation on security issues. In the area of trade, however, Hungary also cooperates with countries outside the North Atlantic Alliance.
"If someone doesn't like it, let me know and we'll talk about it," he said. According to him, the easiest thing to do is to tell the Americans straight up everything that the country's leaders think. He believes that since Trump became president, there has not been a single point of conflict in bilateral relations.
(reuters, max)